JK Rowling’s Cormoran Strike crime novels to be adapted by the BBC

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Yes, I’ve already uploaded a post about about the BBC’s upcoming autumn/winter slate of programmes (here if you missed it), but within all the Sherlocks and the Luthers there was one titbit that deserved its own news story. JK Rowling is one of the world’s biggest selling and best known authors, thanks to a little wizard called Harry. However, Rowling caused a bit of a stir when she decided to adopt a nom de plume and sneakily write some crime novels on the side. It was announced last night that these crime novels would be getting the full BBC treatment.

In 2013 Robert Galbraith released the The Cuckoo’s Calling, and soon there was a storm when Galbraith was revealed to be Rowling, who had wanted to write under a pseudonym. No matter. Both The Cuckoo’s Calling and The Silkworm (as well as the upcoming Career Of Evil) are being adapted by the BBC. And, if they have been mentioned in the autumn/winter launch there’s a good bet they will be out sooner rather than later.

Steeped in the atmosphere of contemporary London, Cormoran Strike’s city is far from the bright lights and frenetic bustle, immersed instead in its darker, murkier side. War veteran turned private detective, Strike investigates shocking crimes together with his female assistant Robin, whose forensic mind and fierce determination he cannot ignore. The murders take them from the hushed streets of Mayfair to the literary haunts of Fitzrovia, exposing the seedy reality lurking beneath seemingly innocent societies. With each crime, they discover a little more about each other and both learn that appearances can be deceptive.

The series is made by Brontë Film and Television, the producers of The Casual Vacancy. Sarah Phelps will adapt The Cuckoo’s Calling and Ben Richards The Silkworm.